It’s become one of the traditions of Cox Plate day – singer Daryl Braithwaite belting out his cover of Rickie-Lee Jones’ The Horses, the slightly inebriated crowd singing every word of the iconic chorus.
In essence, The Horses has become the unofficial anthem of the weight for age championship of Australasia.
But as the thoroughbreds prepare for their moment of glory at Moonee Valley, the former lead singer of Sherbet will be performing a thousand kilometres away in the NSW town of Mudgee.
Local media have confirmed Braithwaite will join Aussie rock legends Noiseworks, Choirboys and Ian Moss in the latest in the “A Day On The Green” concert series in central west NSW, taking the stage as the Cox Plate field is set to jump in Melbourne.
The singer of such hits as Howzat and One Summer, Braithwaite has been an instrumental feature of the pre-Cox Plate entertainment that has, in the past, proved a divisive issue for racing fans. Some, in awe of the atmosphere the performance creates, are staunch advocates; others have been vicious in their criticism, campaigning for its removal for years.
In 2010, Braithwaite infamously ran overtime, with his performance continuing as the Cox Plate runners moved onto the track mere metres away. A number of runners, including odds-on favourite and eventual winner So You Think, were stirred up as they made their way to the start at the top of the Moonee Valley straight.
At the time, Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) CEO Michael Browell declared the pre-race entertainment would be reviewed after they were unhappy with the decision by the singer to continue his performance.
However, somewhat surprisingly, Braithwaite was back last year, entertaining the crowd – albeit well before the horses left the mounting yard.
Just last week, the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) upped the ante in regards to entertainment, with international superstar Adam Lambert and local rockers Eskimo Joe set to take Caulfield by storm after the last race on Caulfield Guineas day and Caulfield Cup day respectively.
The MVRC is yet to announce who will perform prior to this year’s running of the Cox Plate on October 27.
